Karnataka to write to Centre seeking funds for flood-hit districts: Report
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has reportedly decided to approach the Centre for financial assistance following the widespread devastation caused by heavy rains in the northern parts of the state. The severe downpours have led to massive crop losses and extensive damage to infrastructure in several districts.
“The government was likely to write a letter to the Centre after the conclusion of the second survey. Once we have evaluated the extent of damage to crops and other infrastructure, we will submit a request for funds to the Centre,” Deccan Herald quoted its sources as saying on Sunday.
The relentless rains during September, combined with water releases from reservoirs in Maharashtra, have severely impacted the Bhima River basin region. Crops across approximately 7.24 lakh hectares in districts like Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Bidar, and Vijayapura were destroyed, triggering widespread concern among farmers.
Although a joint survey had initially been conducted to assess the damage, the continuing rains towards the end of the month necessitated another round of evaluation. The revised assessment now estimates that the total crop damage extends to 12.54 lakh hectares across the affected districts.
In line with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) guidelines, the Karnataka government is preparing to draft a letter to the central government by the third week of October to request funding for relief operations, added the report.
However, the situation has raised concerns of a potential political clash between the state and central governments. In 2023, when drought conditions affected 216 taluks in Karnataka, the state had sought Rs 18,171 crore in aid from the Centre. Delays in the disbursal of these funds led the state to send a delegation to Delhi, but the matter remained unresolved, prompting the Karnataka government to take the issue to the Supreme Court.
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Chhattisgarh govt enforces austerity measures, restricts foreign travel and cuts convoy vehicles
Raipur (PTI): The Chhattisgarh government on Saturday rolled out a set of austerity measures, including restricted use of convoy vehicles for the chief minister, ministers and heads of state-run bodies, besides curbs on foreign travel at government expense.
The state has decided to implement the cost-saving steps with immediate effect to ensure efficient management of financial resources and discipline in public spending, said a directive issued by Finance Secretary Rohit Yadav.
The move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for austerity amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
The order said that only essential vehicles should be used in the convoys of the CM, ministers and office-bearers of corporations, boards and commissions, while ensuring restrained use of other government resources.
It also directed departments to take steps for a phased conversion of all official vehicles into electric vehicles in order to promote the use of EVs.
As part of fuel-saving measures, expenditure on petrol and diesel for government vehicles should be kept to a minimum, the directive said.
Vehicle pooling arrangements should also be implemented for officials of departments travelling to the same destination, it added.
The order further stated that foreign travel of government employees at state expenses will be completely prohibited except under extremely unavoidable circumstances. In such cases, prior approval of the CM will be mandatory.
To reduce administrative expenditure, departments have been instructed to hold physical meetings preferably only once a month and encourage virtual and online meetings. Regular departmental review meetings should compulsorily be conducted through video conferencing, it said.
The government also stressed the need for energy conservation in its offices, directing that all electrical equipment, including lights, fans, air-conditioners and computers, must be switched off after office hours.
The directive will remain effective till September 30 this year.
Amid the war involving the US, Israel and Iran, Modi has suggested reducing petrol and diesel consumption, using metro rail services in cities, carpooling, increased use of EVs, utilising railway services for parcel movement and working from home to conserve foreign exchange.
